Address the Stress

According to 2009 UNH health insurance claims data, escalating stress levels is one of the top three health conditions in our employee population. And further, the second most frequently prescribed medication for this population is an anti-anxiety medication. Like it or not, stress is a part of our lives. Below are some resources to help you address the stress in your life:

The EAP is a confidential counseling and referral program designed to assist employees in dealing with life's challenges. Locate a mental health professional or access the library and online resources.

Exercise has been proven to help reduce stress and depression. USNH Harvard Pilgrim subscribers are eligible for $500 per year towards a fitness club membership. Or, get reimbursed up to $200 per year for attending approved health education classes - including stress management classes.

Meditation is an experience of relaxing the body, quieting the mind, and awakening the spirit. Health Services has lots or resources about meditation in its health library. You can also attend a drop-in meditation session, make an appointment for a meditation session, or download meditation tracks from the website.

The StressEraser is a small portable FDA regulated biofeedback device, about the size of a deck of cards, used by many people to mitigate stress by activating the relaxation response. Guiding the user through a series of simple breathing exercises, relaxation can occur within 15 minutes, calming the mind and relaxing the body. UNH/USNH provides workshops to teach employees how to benefit from the StressEraser device.

The mission of the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program is to eliminate sexual and intimate partner violence. SHARPP's mission is accomplished in two parts: by providing free and confidential advocacy and direct services to all survivors and their allies; and by offering culturally competent awareness and prevention programs to the University of New Hampshire community.

Yoga has been around for thousands of years and is gaining popularity in this country because people are recognizing its many benefits. Yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and the breath are intimately connected with the mind. Health Services offers drop-in yoga sessions for students and Campus Recreation offers yoga sessions to members and non-members of the Hamel Rec Center.